How SEA ad leaders own the brief and the bedtime story

Working mothers in Southeast Asia are no strangers to the balancing act. According to Milieu Insight, six in ten working mums in the region say they struggle to find time for both work and family commitments. Yet, they continue to power through, raising the next generation while rising to the top of their industries.

Flexible working arrangements have helped, with 68% believing remote options improve both career growth and work-life balance. But beyond logistics — it’s perspective — shaped by lived maternal experience that’s transforming how some of marketing’s top women lead, create, and connect.

This Mother’s Day, MARKETING-INTERACTIVE spoke to female leaders across the region who are not just managing both roles — they're using one to strengthen the other.

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Ellie Brocklehurst, chief marketing officer, TBWA, Asia

It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being present.

For Brocklehurst, motherhood has sharpened her sense of purpose as a marketer. “Motherhood has given me a deeper sense of motivation — not just for myself, but for the example I want to set for my children,” she said. “I want them to grow up believing there are no limits to what they can achieve.”

Despite the pace of the advertising world, she insists on prioritising quality time with her family, carving out space for what matters, and encouraging others to do the same. "Carve out time for everything that makes you, you. That includes your family, your career, and your own wellbeing. I won’t pretend I always get the balance right – but I do make a conscious effort every day."

She’s also found an outlet through The Full Timers Club, a podcast she co-founded with Rebecca Nadilo to offer women real, unfiltered perspectives on life, ambition and motherhood.

“If our conversations help even one woman feel seen, empowered, or less alone, then we’re doing something worthwhile.”

Mary Buenaventura, CEO, OMG Philippines

We must support other women who are striving.

At 50, Buenaventura is not only leading a fast-growing organisation, she’s also chasing a five-year-old around the house. “I had my first child at 45,” she shared.

“Beyond the physical challenges, managing an organisation that is experiencing exponential growth is no small feat. However, like any challenge, the rewards of resilience and my passion for both ‘motherhood’ and my career bring immense joy and fulfilment.”

According to Buenaventura, she draws on her parental lens to inform strategy, especially in communication planning and audience profiling. “I'm aware of the trends that kids love, which helps me stay relevant and enables me to contribute meaningfully to communication planning."

Melissa Daniels, regional head of innovation (Singapore & Asia), TBWA

If it passes the eight-year-old test, it’s worth building.

For Daniels, parenting twins has only fuelled her creative thinking. “Innovation should make life easier. More human, more helpful and who better to pressure-test that than mothers?" said Daniels.

“If an idea can survive the ‘eight-year-old test’: is it interesting, inspiring, and can it match the sugar-sparkle-crackle-pop energy of a unicorn? Then it just might be worth building," she added.

Whether navigating stakeholder gridlocks or pushing out fresh-first drafts, Daniels credits her maternal mindset with bringing deeper empathy and faster instincts to the table. “Being a parent can be a masterclass in scrappy strategy. I move faster, embrace the chaos, and stay open to surprise, because some of the best ideas come dressed as glitter and noise.”

Winnie Chen-Head, CEO, OMG Malaysia

If you don’t prioritise your own balance, no one else will.

Balance isn’t a fixed formula for Chen-Head, who says that it’s something you craft, protect, and evolve over time. “There’s no perfect formula when it comes to balancing motherhood and a career,” she said. “Over time, I’ve learnt that you have to create your own rhythm. What works for me might not work for someone else, and that’s ok.”

Her approach hinges on clear intent and boundaries. “For me, it’s about being intentional: setting clear boundaries for work, family, and personal time, and being disciplined about protecting those spaces. If you don’t prioritise your own balance, no one else will do it for you.”

It’s a mindset that has helped her show up fully in every role. “Creating that structure helps me show up fully and wholeheartedly in every role I play —  as a leader, a mother, and as myself.”

Her son, she said, has also taught her valuable lessons in resilience. “My son and I both have a competitive streak, but we express it in different ways,” she said. “Even when he’s disappointed, he doesn’t dwell for long. He takes the loss, learns from it, and comes back more determined to improve.”

That perspective, she added, has shaped how she leads. “Watching him has reminded me that great things take time, effort, and patience. It’s helped me be kinder to myself and my team when things don’t go perfectly.”

Kat Gomez-Limchoc, executive creative director, Blackpencil Manila and lead culture officer, Publicis Groupe Philippines

Be intentional in creating moments with your children.

For Gomez-Limchoc, the key to balancing her career and motherhood lies in mindful planning and intentional presence with her two daughters.

"What works for me is really mindfully planning my days so that I know when I will have time to be fully present for my two daughters," she said. “For my 28-year-old daughter, Snow, who already lives on her own, I make it part of my week’s schedule to have a one-on-one date with her. Recently, she took me bouldering, and we both so enjoyed me getting immersed in something that has become a big part of her life.”

She continues to make time for her younger daughter, Liv, through daily moments of connection — on school runs or during bedtime chats. "For me, it’s really about being intentional in creating moments of just giving yourself fully to your children," she explained.

Her children have also sparked creative work, including a poem written for her then 11-year-old daughter Liv that eventually became part of a McDonald’s New Year campaign. Her advice? “Don’t leave bonding time to chance. Plan time to connect with your children, and stick to it as you would any other meeting in your calendar.”

Louise Koh, managing director, Havas Media Singapore

Being kinder to ourselves doesn't diminish our capabilities—it enhances them.

The path to balancing career and motherhood is one of constant recalibration, anchored by clear boundaries and intentional time management. At least, according to Koh.  “Balancing motherhood and my career is an ongoing evolution. It's about intentional time management and being fully present wherever I am, be it at work or at my kid’s events,” she said.

The structure she’s put in place with support from her team, boss, and husband has been key to navigating the dual demands of leadership and parenting. "I've learned to establish clear boundaries between professional and family commitments, and this has been transformative for my general wellbeing,” she said. “Some weeks flow with everything falling into place, while others require significant adjustments as circumstances shift.”

Koh’s children, aged nine and seven, have also quietly shaped her approach to leadership.

“Their natural curiosity and willingness to ask 'why' has reminded me to approach problems with an open mind rather than defaulting to established solutions,” she said. “Their simplicity in how they approach everything has influenced me to look at how to handle situations without unnecessary complexity.”

Her advice for other mothers is rooted in compassion, not perfection.

“A piece of wisdom that has profoundly resonated with me is to be kinder to ourselves,” she said. “We are to excel as leaders, to perform flawlessly in our professional roles, and to seamlessly step into motherhood. It's honestly a lot of pressure to handle everything perfectly.”

She added: “It is important to carve out time for personal decompression… build that circle of people that will have your back when things get crazy. Being kinder to ourselves doesn't diminish our capabilities, it enhances them.”

Prerna Mehrotra, chief client officer & practice president, media APAC, dentsu

Abandon perfectionism in favour of presence.

Mehrotra doesn’t view parenting and career as a balancing act. For her, it’s a journey of continuous learning, guided by clear boundaries and shared responsibility. "Balance is not the right word to describe career and motherhood,” she said. “As a working parent, being present — and creating those moments to be present - is most important.”

She credits her husband’s partnership for making the journey rewarding rather than overwhelming. “My kids know I play multiple roles and that my career is an important part of my life. My balance comes from having a strong support system, much of which comes from the role that my husband plays in our parenting journey together.”

Her son, in particular, has helped shape her approach to work and life. “My son has taught me to create boundaries and reminded me about what truly matters. Provocations that come from kids are interesting. They’re pure and come from an unbiased and simple point of view, which we often complicate.”

She urges other mothers to release the pressure to be perfect, prioritise self-care, and involve their children in the journey. “Let them grow and become better individuals by learning from your challenges, struggles, success and growth.”

Rebecca Nadilo, director, marketing partnerships creative APAC at Netflix

There’s no perfect approach.

As a former managing director at Iris Singapore and now regional creative lead at Netflix, Nadilo has brought motherhood into the workplace quite literally - from shaping maternity leave policies to rejecting the notion that presenteeism equals performance.

“Roman — my four-year-old — has certainly inspired policies I’ve created. Without him, I don’t think I would have changed the Iris maternity leave policy as soon as I started,” said Nadilo.

She acknowledges that career-parenting balance looks different for everyone, and advises mothers to set their own boundaries and communicate them clearly.

"There’s no perfect approach, it’s all about what works for you and what you’re comfortable with. Once you find that, communicate it with others so they know it and can respect it. Also, don’t feel guilty for putting your family first," said Nadilo. "We should feel confident holding our own and knowing that we’re judged by our output and impact not by the hours you’re working or whether you responded immediately to an email." 

Chloe Neo, CEO, OMG Singapore

You don’t have to have it all — just find your rhythm.

For Neo, balancing motherhood and a leadership role is less about achieving perfection and more about adapting with purpose.

“Balancing motherhood and career is a continuous learning process for me, especially now as the little ones are transitioning into their teens,” she said. “As an involved mom and corporate leader, I must constantly adapt to evolving priorities, anticipated challenges, and new responsibilities.”

The dual role has made her sharper and more selective with how she spends her time. “I've learnt to prioritise my time effectively, focusing on high-impact tasks and delegating when possible. It’s not always easy, but it's worth it — seeing my children grow and thrive makes every challenge worthwhile.”

Her children, she added, often offer unexpected lessons that shape how she leads.

“Both my children have different personalities, and I’m often amazed by how they each lend me new perspectives and diversity in their philosophies towards life and approach to problem-solving,” said Neo. “They’ve taught me to approach challenges with a fresh and open mind, and to appreciate the importance of empathy and active listening.”

To fellow working mothers, Neo offered a practical and encouraging reminder.

"Find your rhythm. You don’t have to have it all, but don't lose sight of your passions and interests," said Neo.

"As a mother, it's easy to put your own needs last, but nurturing your own ambitions and fulfilment is essential for your well-being and career satisfaction. Break it down into achievable goals and celebrate your wins – no matter how small they may seem. By focusing on responsible self-care and small achievements, you'll build confidence and momentum in both your career and parenting journey." 

Nizwani Shahar, CEO, Havas Malaysia

I don’t chase balance — I chase alignment.

For Nizwani, leading one of Malaysia’s top creative agencies while raising a daughter isn’t about striving for perfect equilibrium, it’s about being fully present in each moment.

“It’s a constant juggle — some days I’m leading a pitch, other days I’m making time to watch my daughter perform at her annual musical,” she said. “There’s no such thing as perfect balance, just prioritisation.”

She credits motherhood with sharpening her instincts and deepening her leadership style. “It forces clarity in decision-making, grace under pressure, and reminds me daily what really matters. I do not chase ‘balance’; I chase alignment — with my values, energy, and purpose.”

Similarly, Nizwani's daughter’s boundless imagination has also shaped the way she approaches creativity. “She sees the world without cynicism, and that’s the energy I try to bring into the work — more bold ideas, more emotional truth, more wonder.”

Above all, Nizwani leads with legacy in mind. “Much of how I lead today is shaped by wanting to be someone she can be proud of, someone who leads with purpose, protects her team, and doesn’t shy away from difficult conversations.”

To other mothers balancing ambition and parenthood, she offers this:

“You’re not choosing between two worlds — you’re building a life that blends both. Don’t shrink your ambition to fit into old structures; reshape the structures if you must. Ask for what you need. And remember: guilt is part of the ride, but so is pride.”

Yvonne Tan, chief people officer, Southeast Asia, dentsu

Don’t aim for balance — aim for harmony.

After 19 years as a working mother, Tan prefers to think of her life in terms of integration, not balance. “I often find the word ‘balance’ to be a tough goal and I subscribe to the words ‘integration’ and ‘harmony’ when I think of work-life,” she said.

With four teenagers and a demanding role, she’s applied lessons from both home and work to foster holistic leadership.

“My eldest has a curious mind and asks questions about everything. He has inspired me to create space for my teams to come together and ask first-principle questions. My youngest has inspired me to care for my team as whole people, encouraging them to live a full life, at work and outside of work.”

She credits an early mentor for changing how she viewed motherhood and ambition. “My best boss told me this when I nervously shared the news of my first pregnancy 20 years ago: "My best performers in the team are working mothers. They are laser-focused on results, and hyper-empathetic to people. You can achieve great things and have a family.’”

Munas van Boonstra, managing director, Monks SEA

I’ve stopped chasing the illusion of doing it all.

For van Boonstra, motherhood and leadership are less about perfect balance and more about intentional presence.

“Balance isn’t a fixed state — it’s a daily, constant dance of priorities,” said van Boonstra, who juggles regional leadership while raising two daughters and caring for her mother. “I’ve stopped chasing this illusion and instead focus on being fully present in the few quality moments that matter most.”

Her daughters often join her at work, observing her leadership in real time, and reminding her that ambition and empathy aren’t mutually exclusive.“They remind me to lead with heart, to question with curiosity, and to find joy in the simple things. When you have little eyes watching you, you rise higher, dream louder, and lead better.”

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